SB 1187 Sets Schools Up For Failure

OEA President Alicia Priest's statement on the State Senate passing SB 1187

"Today's passage of Senate Bill 1187 is disappointing. The bill purports to address issues of underfunding by allowing districts to opt out of vital regulations. In reality, SB 1187 sets up schools for failure.

"Schools cannot be improved by hiring part-time teachers, who will not pay into the teacher retirement system. SB 1187 eliminates the rights of due process for our support professionals, allows schools to stop paying on the state minimum salary schedule and even allows schools to stop hiring certified teachers altogether.

"Passage of this bill will hurt students because it fails to hold all schools to the highest standards. Instead, it allows for shortcuts that weaken our education system all because our state refuses to properly fund our schools."